Superhydrophobicity for Antifouling Microfluidic Surfaces

The document discussed the use of superhydrophobic surfaces to reduce fouling in microfluidic devices, particularly when using protein or enzymatic solutions. The study explored the potential of these surfaces to not only minimize surface contamination but also to enable self-cleaning under flow conditions. The methodology for creating superhydrophobic coatings with micro- and nanoscale features was presented, along with a guide to quantify adsorbed protein at nanogram levels. The fabrication process involved silica sol–gel and copper nano-hair growth, applicable to various microfluidic device materials.